Is Bono Sincere in His Humanitarian Efforts in Africa?

Many people are puzzled by the involvement of Bono, a "rock star," in international economic politics. Does he really care about what happens to the people of Africa, or is this simply for added publicity for his band, U2? This article will show that it is not publicity for U2, and that Bono's sincerity exists in both his music and his activism. U2 does just fine getting attention on their own, as a band. Their music has always been their most effective publicity.

Sincerity is defined as "freedom from deceit, hypocrisy, or duplicity" (http://dictionary.reference.com). So is Bono sincere in his humanitarian efforts? Listen to the music. Sincerity and passion have always been part of U2's music. The lyrics are filled with spirituality and his quest to find good in humanity, and in himself. There is complete congruity between his life as a musician, and as an activist. Sincerity cannot exist without this congruity.

Bono has been the singer and front man for U2 since 1976, when they formed the band as teenagers. They have had incredible success with their music, with many best-selling albums and singles, and even several Grammy awards. The members of U2 will be the first to tell you that they were really awful (musically speaking) for the first several years. In the late 1970's, they entered a contest in Ireland and were astounded when they won. When they heard the other bands and their polished sound and superior technical expertise, they were sure they had no hope of winning. But it was Bono's sincerity, earnestness, and passion that connected with the audience and the judges, helping them to win the top prize that day. Many of their early reviews credited Bono's intensity, passion, and connection with the audience that made their music captivating. It was Bono's sincerity in his performances that gained U2 the attention necessary to catapult them onto the world stage and into music history. Musical competence came later.

Bono has shown interest in the struggles of the African people since 1985, when he and his wife, Ali Hewson, spent time in Africa where they worked in an orphanage in Ethiopia, as well as a feeding station. He has also  been an integral part of the formation of several groups, including DATA (debts, AIDS, and trade in Africa), and the ONE Campaign, which addresses AIDS and poverty in the African nations. He was also the key figure that convinced the G8 to forgive the debt of the African nations.

Many ask why he would be so interested in a far-away place, disconnected from the world of popular music, and certainly far from his home in Ireland. Bono has a simple reply: because he believes that God sees all people as equal. Yet for whatever reason, the rest of the world doesn't value African lives quite as highly as European or American lives. He is truly concerned for the welfare of all of God's children, and believes that those whom God has blessed with prosperity will be held accountable for allowing such poverty and inhumanity to exist in other parts of the world. Bono has stated, "'Love thy neighbor' is not advice. It's a command." (Assayas, 1985).

Bono has used his fame and popularity as a musician to appeal to the highest government officials in many of the most powerful nations in the world. He has charmed his way into the offices of many heads of state, including the White House. He has met with and befriended the last three U.S. presidents. He has dazzled many with his surprising level of knowledge of world economics. He "prides himself on the fact that he can talk for more than an hour without looking at his notes" (Boyd, 2010) on complex global economic issues. That is something that the average rock star doesn't do.

For this work he has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize multiple times, received knighthood, and has been given many other high honors throughout the world. And yet he has said he wants to be remembered more for his music than his humanitarian efforts. Bono's sincerity has been evident from the genesis of U2 in 1976, and has continued to shine through until today. It was the most important ingredient in their early performances, as their competence as musicians took several years to evolve. Passion and sincere emotion have always been an integral part of their music.

Many of their songs, especially from the 1980's, have been an on the spot improvisation in the studio, with Bono simply reacting to the music and singing whatever was on his mind at that moment. These are some of his most emotionally-charged performances. Bono can express more pure emotion through his voice than most men even know they have. And it is sincere emotion. His humanitarian activism and his concern for the people of Africa are sincere, and motivated by his deep spiritual belief in a benevolent God who holds everyone on the earth as equals, no matter their circumstances. His sincerity is found in his lyrics, the emotion in his performances, as well as in his activism in the many urgent issues in Africa and in poverty throughout the world.

References

Answers.com. Retrieved online from: http://answers.com/topic/bono, Sept 23, 2010.

Assayas, Michka, "Bono wants you." Ode, vol. 3, issue 9, November 2005, 20-25. Boyd, Brian. "Bono's friends in high places," The Irish Times, August 28, 2010. Retrieved from: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper.com/newspaper/weekend/2010/0828/1224277755857.html.

Dictionary.refernce.com. Retrieved online from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/sincerity, Oct 2, 2010.

Kilgour, David. "Bono as a person of faith." Retrieved from: http://www.david-kilgour.com/mp/Bono%20as%20Person%20of%20Faith.htm, Sept 23, 2010.

McCormick, Neil. U2 By U2. Harper Collins Publishers, London. 2006. Wikipedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bono, Sept 23, 2010.

Williams, Brian. "Bono heads into Africa." Retrieved online from: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12875708/, Sept 23, 2010.

source : http://www.associatedcontent.com/